B1 phrase guide · Spain-focused
Spanish phrases to explain what is bothering you
At an appointment, accuracy matters more than sounding fluent. These phrases help you describe where something hurts, when it began and what you need clarified. They support communication only; they are not medical advice, diagnosis or emergency guidance.
Start with the situation
A useful phrase does more than translate.
Use me duele + singular body part and me duelen + plural body part: me duele la espalda, me duelen las rodillas. For a symptom that has continued, llevo + period + gerund can describe its duration. Give concrete information and ask the clinician to repeat or explain unfamiliar terms.
Tell a qualified professional about relevant allergies, medicines and changes in symptoms. If you need urgent help, use emergency services; do not rely on phrase guidance to judge severity or choose treatment.
Hear the exchange
A short conversation, in context
Patient
Me duele la garganta desde ayer y tengo cita a las diez.
My throat has hurt since yesterday and I have an appointment at ten.
Clinician
¿Toma algún medicamento actualmente?
Are you taking any medication at the moment?
Patient
Sí, tomo uno por la mañana. ¿Puede repetir el nombre, por favor?
Yes, I take one in the morning. Could you repeat the name, please?
Listen for the local detail
Usage notes for Spain
- In Spain, médico/a and centro de salud are common terms; local healthcare pathways and appointment systems vary.
- Bring medication names and allergy information in writing if useful. This page provides language support only and cannot replace medical advice.
Look out for
Common mistakes, made clearer
Avoid
Estoy dolor de cabeza.
Use / understand
Me duele la cabeza.
Spanish commonly expresses pain with doler and an indirect object pronoun.
Avoid
Me duele las piernas.
Use / understand
Me duelen las piernas.
The verb agrees with plural piernas.
Avoid
Guess at an instruction after missing a key word.
Use / understand
¿Puede repetirlo / explicármelo, por favor?
Clarify medicines, doses and follow-up directly with the clinician.
Five quick checks
Try it before you peek.
- 01
Say “My back has hurt since Monday.”
Reveal answer and explanation
Me duele la espalda desde el lunes.
Me duele is used with singular espalda.
- 02
Correct: Me duele los hombros.
Reveal answer and explanation
Me duelen los hombros.
The verb agrees with plural hombros.
- 03
Tell a clinician you take a medicine at night.
Reveal answer and explanation
Tomo un medicamento por la noche.
Por la noche is a common time expression.
- 04
Ask politely for the explanation in different words.
Reveal answer and explanation
¿Puede explicármelo con otras palabras?
Puede is the formal singular request form.
- 05
Say you did not understand the dose.
Reveal answer and explanation
No he entendido la dosis.
This clearly signals the need for clarification; do not guess.
Still wondering
Questions about spanish phrases to explain what is bothering you
Is this guide medical advice?
No. It is language support only. A qualified healthcare professional can assess symptoms, explain treatment and answer medical questions.
How do I talk about pain in Spanish?
A common pattern is me duele + singular body part and me duelen + plural body part. For example, me duele la muñeca; me duelen los pies.
Keep the learning connected
Build the language around the phrase.
Vocabulary gives you options; grammar helps you choose the form that fits the person and the moment.